Zayn Malik confirms that he is leaving his band One Direction which took the fans by surprise.

"My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologize to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world," Malik says in a statement posted on the band's Facebook Page.

The 5-member British boy band now turns to a 4-man group with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan left in it.

Meanwhile, the netizens took to the internet their thoughts and reaction and some if not most of them can be found hilarious.